FRANKIE STILL ON COURSE FOR ASCOT

FRANKIE DETTORI says he will “play my joker” to ride on Ascot’s QIPCO British Champions Day card after picking up two whip bans at Longchamp last weekend.

Dettori is assured a stellar book of mounts on Britain’s richest raceday, including Palace Pier for boss John Gosden in the €1.3m Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The Italian received a two- day suspension for his winning effort aboard Loving Dream in Saturday’s Prix Royallieu, and a four- day ban after partnering Grand Glory to a nose defeat by Rougir in the Prix de l’Opera.

Punishments

The punishments cover the Champions Day fixture on Saturday week but Dettori said yesterday: “I’m going to play my joker.

“As one of the bans was for two days, my manager will email France Galop to move the days, and then France Galop will contact the British Horseracing Authority.

“Once they have told them that I want to move the days, I will be okay to ride at Ascot.”

Dettori (right) is confident next year’s QIPCO 1000 Guineas favourite Inspiral can take the step up to the top- level when she crosses swords with eight rivals in tomorrow’s Group One bet365 Fillies’

Mile at Newmarket. ”She is taking the usual progression after winning a Group Two to have a go at a Group

One,” he said,